What is to Give Light Must Endure Burning
“What is to endure light must endure burning”
Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) Austrian neurologist, pychologist, philosopher, and Dachau survivor
I’ve heard August called the dog days of summer. This could mean that it’s so hot, all you want to do is lie around like a dog. It could also mean that you’re up against something hard, a challenge, something scary that you’d rather not deal with at the moment, if at all and that you’re lying around like a couch potato.
When this happens there are two major options for you. There are more of course but they fall into these two big categories.
Option one is to distract yourself and put off dealing with the challenge. And that’s one thing that all electronics (phones, tablets, computers, televisions and more) are good for – distracting us from life as it is!!! Distraction is different than a break or some relaxation. Just be aware when you are using the device as a distraction to avoid something you know you should be attending to.
The other option is to notice the discomfort you’re feeling. Pause whatever you’re doing and notice the story you’re telling yourself. There’s always a story. Let go of the story, breathe and if you can, notice how your body is breathing. You don’t have to change how you breathe – just notice.
And it may be hard to get to your breath if the upsetting experience is fresh.
Sometimes, letting go of the story seems impossible. You want to think more and more about the story - what happened and/or what all the reasons are - to protect and justify yourself. The story goes round and round in your head fueling feelings of injustice, hurt and anger which can grow and become its own distraction.
Can you bear witness to those feelings and thoughts and just let them burn up and leave no trace? We know through neuroscience research that feelings change – many can change in 90 seconds! Thoughts are only solid when we give them energy by ruminating which only adds fuel to the fire.
Bearing witness is like putting up a shield of golden protective energy around yourself and your thoughts. You’re watching the fire from a safe distance and not getting burnt. This takes practice.
Returning to your body is grounding in the present moment. Notice how it feels to be standing or sitting. Feel the weight of your body through your buttocks on a chair or through your feet on the earth.
Anything tense or tight? You can direct your exhale first to the tense area and then inhale from there as if the tension was breathing. Stay there for a few minutes and then move to the next tense area. Or just keep feeling your body and breathe.
Essentially what you are doing is a meditative practice of being with the body. Your thoughts will return again and again to your mind’s story. Bear witness to that, honor that, and then let go. Bring your mind gently back to the body and the breath every time.
Practice ho’omanawanui: patience and perseverance. The fire begins to lose its fuel, it no longer burns, and your focus returns.
Light will shine.
Malama pono (take good care of body, mind, heart),
Kumu/Roshi June Kaililani Tanoue
P.S. ABC7 Chicago - AAPI Heritage Month Special https://abc7chicago.com/videoClip/hula-dance-hawaiian-halau-i-ka-pono-oak-park-illinois/14940072/